Bucolic Briefs

The Tarheel Barrel and Roper Association will hold a series of horse shows with classes for all ages at Lockamy Stables and Arena in Benson. Events include pole bending, barrels, goat tying and breakaway roping. Divisions are: assisted – any age; pee-wee – 8 years and under; youth – 9-12 years old; teen – 13-18 years old; and open for any age. Following are upcoming show dates: Aug. 4, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6. All shows start at 10 a.m. Cost is $7 per event; association membership is $20. For more, call Shannon and Melody Lockamy at 919-894-5719 or 291-3295 or 291-3294.

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The 9th Annual Equestrian Exchange Tack Consignment Sale will be held Aug. 30-Sept 3 at the Holshouser Building, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Participants can buy or sell anything related to equestrian sport, including tack, show clothing, barn supplies and riding gear. All disciplines of riding represented. Consignors earn 75 percent of all sold. Nonprofit equestrian organizations, 4H clubs and therapeutic riding centers are encouraged to participate. Participants must pre-register and include new bar code tagging on items. On Aug. 29 from 6-9 p.m., consignors can drop off large volume items. Regular drop off hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 29. On Aug. 30 there will be a preview sale night from 5-9 p.m. Admission is $7. Regular show hours with free admission are Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sept. 3, noon-6 p.m. Consignors can pick up unsold items between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Sept. 5. For more, contact Lynn Beeson, 336-362-6248, or Tanya Wright, 540-977-1950, or go to www.EquestrianExchange.com.

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The N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale will be held Sept. 1 at noon at the Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. Bulls, cows, bred and open heifers of Simmental and SimAngus genetics will be available. For more, contact Jennie Rucker at 336-58-1679 or go to ncsimmental.com.

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The New Bern Farmers Market is looking for producers of farm and farm related products to be vendors at the market. The New Bern market is open every Saturday all year. For more information, contact Julie McKeon at 252-637-4172.

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The N.C. Cattleman's Association and N.C. Cooperative Extension are offering a workshop Sept. 29 at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro for women who would like more information and hands-on experience with cattle. Items covered during the event include low-stress cattle handling; proper techniques for vaccinating, deworming and eartagging; nutrition and pasture management; and calving, normal presentations and difficulties. The free workshop is limited to 20 women and the selection will be made Aug. 27. Interested participants must submit an application by 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 to Jeannette Moore at NCSU Box 7621, Raleigh, NC 27695-7621, email to Jeannette_Moore@ncsu.edu, or fax to 919-515-8753.

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An Acidified Foods School for Entrepreneurs will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Holiday Inn Asheville-Biltmore West. The class is offered by the N.C. State University Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Extension program. The deadline to register is Sept. 26. For more, contact Lisa Gordon at 919-515-2760 or email at lisa_gordon@ncsu.edu.

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The North Carolina chapter of Re-Run, a nonprofit organization that places ex-racehorses into adoptive homes, now has thoroughbred racehorses available for adoption. Thoroughbreds are versatile and do well in any number of disciplines including shows, events, fox hunting or pleasure riding, according to Elizabeth Macdonald with Re-Run. For more, go to www.rerun.org or contact Elizabeth Macdonald at hemacd@mindspring.com.